In recent years, blockchain technology has become a more popular buzzword across industries, including education. Many believe that it has the potential to change the way we learn and share information. So, what is blockchain technology in education, and how can we use it to make an impact on the industry?
Blockchain is a decentralized, enduring ledger that records a list of events in the order of time that transpire in real time. All PCs can use the things stored on it. Once there is a storage, you cannot change or delete it. This sounds superb for storing important documents and data.
What is blockchain in education?
The use of blockchain in education is still in its baby steps. Currently, there are only a few institutions using it. In 2019, only 2% of colleges used blockchain, according to a Gartner survey. But, within the next two years, 18% of the institutions planned to use it.
Right now, some schools are using blockchain to keep track of students’ records. But experts think it can do more. Blockchain can help people learn new things, make teaching more efficient, and give students access to study records. However, there are still concerns about how safe it is, how well it can handle lots of users, and how much it costs. These things all make it hard to use blockchain widely in education.
How to use blockchain in education
Blockchain in education can create a secure, decentralized system for storing and sharing academic records, credentials, and other important documents. This reduces the need for students to rely on physical certificates and transcripts, which are easily lost or damaged.
Besides this, blockchain technology can also verify the authenticity of the records and certifications. False certificates are a growing concern in the education industry. As the demand for online learning grows, the need for a safe way to verify credentials is more and more important.
To use blockchain in the education sector, institutions can create their own blockchain networks or use existing ones. Once setting up the network, we can store academic records and other important documents in a secure, decentralized manner.
What are the challenges of adapting to blockchain technology in education?
However, there are some challenges to adapting to blockchain technology in EDU Tech. One of the main challenges is the lack of knowledge and understanding of how it works. Many educators and institutions are still unfamiliar with blockchain and how to use it in their realm.
Another challenge is the cost and complexity of using blockchain in education. Creating a blockchain network requires a big investment in infrastructure and technology, which may be difficult for some schools to afford.
Benefits of blockchain technology in education: In the future
Despite these challenges, the benefits of using blockchain in education are numerous.
The impact of blockchain in teaching is more than study records keeping. It provides a safe way to store digital syllabus and homework, which is better than using hard drives as they can get damaged. While cloud storage can be costly for some schools.
Blockchain in schools can help teachers with homework and exam grading. For example, teachers can program lessons into a blockchain and set tasks for students. The smart contract will then verify the completion of each task and provide the next task until all is done. Teachers can also program exams into a blockchain, and the students take the exam on a computer or tablet. The blockchain will then grade the exam, freeing up teachers’ time. The student’s score will be stored safely on the blockchain for future reference.
Blockchain technology could also improve learning practice for students. By studying data from blockchain networks, institutions could gain insights into how students learn and adapt their teaching methods.
Another benefit is the increased efficiency and transparency of processes. Blockchain technology can automate many administrative tasks, such as verifying academic credentials and issuing certifications, which can save schools time and money.
What blockchain technology in education could look like in the future
Blockchain technology in education could become even more advanced, transformative and make education less expensive. Right now, it takes a lot of work and labor to handle student tuition payments. Blockchain can make this process faster, which could save money for schools and make tuition cheaper.
Moreover, speaking of lifelong study, blockchain makes it easy for each person to enjoy open learning resources. Books, podcasts, and videos will all be stored in the public domain for free download. It’s a very secure way for anyone to share resources on a public network.
Overall, the use of blockchain in education has the potential to change the way we teach and learn. While there are some challenges to adapting to this technology, the benefits are numerous.
In the future, we can expect to see even more creative uses of blockchain technology in education. This is possible as institutions continue to explore with blockchain.
We can create a safer network for educators, and a more personalized learning experience for students by embracing this technology. For more exclusive content, create your free account and sign up to EDU Passport today.
